26/11 trial completes 100 days

September 11, 2009 20:48 IST

Altogether 189 witnesses, including Federal Bureau of Investigation officers and technical experts from USA, have deposed before a special court conducting the 26/11 Mumbai attack trial, which completed 100 days on Friday.

"We have made remarkable progress since the trial began on April 15," special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told PTI. About 35 witnesses, including ballistic experts and legal experts and chemical analysts are expected to depose before the court this month, Nikam said.

The prosecution would conclude recording of evidence by the end of this month, Nikam said, adding that the court would then hear the arguments of both sides before giving verdict. The witnesses have tendered evidence in regard to the murder of navigator of Kuber boat in which 10 terrorists came from Karachi to Mumbai on November 26 2008, the terrorist's encounter with the police at Girgaum Chowpatty in which terrorist Abu Ismail was killed, The firing at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Cama hospital, the murder of three senior police officers near Metro Cinema and the theft of a Skoda car used in the Mumbai attacks.

The prosecution now has to adduce technical evidence and examine witnesses to prove the incidents at the Taj and Oberoi five-star hotels and at Nariman House in South Mumbai. Lone surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab is facing the trial along with two Indians, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, charged with participating in conspiracy and killing 166 persons in the terror attacks.